James arness imdb filmography meaning

Unlike the latter show, Gunsmoke featured its lead character in each of its 20 seasons; Gunsmoke also aired more episodes, and was in the top 10 in the ratings for 11 more seasons, for a total of 13, including four consecutive seasons at number one. After Gunsmoke ended, Arness performed in Western-themed movies and television series, including How the West Was Won , and in five made-for-television Gunsmoke movies between and An exception was as a big-city police officer in a short-lived — series, McClain's Law , starring with Marshall Colt.

His role as mountain man Zeb Macahan in How the West Was Won made him a cult figure in many European countries, where it became even more popular than in the United States, as the series has been rebroadcast many times across Europe. James Arness: An Autobiography was released in September , with a foreword by Reynolds who had been a cast member of Gunsmoke for several years in the s.

Arness realized, "[I]f I was going to write a book about my life, I better do it now Arness married Virginia Chapman in , and adopted her son Craig — December 14, Rolf Aurness became World Surfing Champion in Daughter Jenny died of an apparently deliberate drug overdose in Four years after his divorce from Virginia Chapman, James Arness met Thordis Brandt , [ 21 ] [ 22 ] who was his girlfriend for six years before they ended their relationship.

She and his sons survived him. Despite his stoic character, according to Ben Bates, his Gunsmoke stunt double, Arness laughed "from his toes to the top of his head". Shooting on the Gunsmoke set was sometimes suspended because Arness got a case of the uncontrollable giggles. He was said to be a shy and sensitive man who enjoyed poetry, yacht racing, and surfing.

Arness died from natural causes at the age of 88 years at his Brentwood home in Los Angeles on June 3, For his contributions to the television industry, Arness has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at Vine Street. On the 50th anniversary of television in in the United States, People magazine chose the "top 25 television stars of all time.

Arness was nominated for these Emmy Awards : [ 16 ]. Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk. Read Edit View history. Tools Tools. Download as PDF Printable version. In other projects. Wikimedia Commons Wikidata item. American actor — Minneapolis, Minnesota , U. Los Angeles, California , U. Gunsmoke — How the West Was Won — Virginia Chapman.

Janet Surtees. Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart. Early life [ edit ]. Military service in World War II [ edit ]. Acting career [ edit ]. Personal life [ edit ]. Robert Graham. The Thing from Another World. The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory. Jim Bowie. Credits Edit. Self 16 Archive Footage Expand below. Previous Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice 7.

Gunsmoke: The Long Ride 7. Gunsmoke: To the Last Man 7. Gunsmoke: The Last Apache 7. Red River 6. Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge 6. The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory 6. McClain's Law 7. How the West Was Won 8. Gunsmoke 8. Alias Jesse James 6. Gun the Man Down 6.

James arness imdb filmography meaning

The First Traveling Saleslady 5. Front Row Center 7. Flame of the Islands 5. See all. Previous 3. Additional Crew. Previous 2. Videos 2. Trailer Official Trailer. Island In The Sky. Rolf Cirkler Aurness. Ruth Eleanore Duesler Salisbury. Peter Graves Sibling. Commanding voice. Towering height. The role of Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke He was the only actor to appear in all episodes of Gunsmoke Made four movies with his close friend John Wayne during the s.

Wayne personally recommended Arness for the lead role in Gunsmoke , and filmed an introduction for the first episode. His best friend and younger brother Peter Graves , passed away on March 14, , just four days before his 84th birthday. The colorful resolution included a depiction of a US Marshal's badge and a salute to his work as Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke and its overyear duration as television's longest-running drama series.

It also recalled his heroism during World War II and thanked him for "leaving us with one of the most telling and realistic portraits ever created of the brave, tall man in the saddle who tames a western town as he searches for justice and peace. He received a standing ovation that morning. The people upstairs decided it was better to leave the show as it was, which I totally agreed with.

I had the pleasure of knowing Ronald Reagan before he became Governor of California. He was a truly great human being and we usually spent our time together reminiscing about mutual friends. He will be missed by all who knew him and by a nation that will mourn with us. I have met many other actors who were great also, but there was something about him that was so special He was just off in a class by himself somehow.

It was a real privilege really to be around the man and to know him. I was with his company for three years, and it was just a special time. With Gunsmoke , we had an outstanding quality of writing. The show had been on radio for three years, so they were able to fine-tune the characters. What made us different from other westerns was the fact that Gunsmoke wasn't just action and a lot of shooting; they were character-study shows.

They're interesting to watch all these years later.